B&D `Navigator' Reciprocating Saw

[Bamboofount]

I found in a store of Black & Decker in Vegas, a machine called Navigator with a good blade, similar to a pull saw with less teeth per inch (12) with blade length 8 inches.
http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/data/503/thumbs/Navigator-B_D-Automatic_saw.jpg See photo (http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/showphoto.php?photo=1260)

I recommend it only for light uses.

[Henry Lee]

I use an electric reciprocating saw which cuts into the ground and around the root ball armed with a pruning blade. Trouble is I can't use it when there is no electricity available. It's interesting how this B&D Navigator might work. How long does the battery last? Can I buy spare batteries?

Mark, what do you use to dig up the whole root ball without electric? I was in the New Jersey Rutgers Garden and found a couple acres of p. nuda and there is no electricity within 200 feet. I could run an extension cord but if I can dig without it I would.

Phyllostachys nuda - Rutgers, New Jersey USA
http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/511/thumbs/R-Garden-NJ.jpg See photo (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=2361) http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/511/thumbs/R-Garden-NJ-2.jpg See photo (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=2360) http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/511/thumbs/NJ-p-nuda.jpg See photo ( http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=2359)

[Mark Meckes]

Hi Henry,
See Thread ... Bamboo Digging Tools (http://www.bamboocraft.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1524)
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The reciprocating saw shown by Bamboofount is electric with cord.
I don't know if B&D has a battery powered model.

Here's a thread begun nearly 3 years ago ...

Rechargeable Reciprocating Saws for harvesting bamboo poles (http://www.bamboocraft.net/forums/showthread.php?t=113)

Since then there are numerous makes and models available as can be seen now at all major hardware stores.

At one time I considered buying one but ...
- being generally short on cash I haven't been able to justify the investment based on the few times I would use it.
- I prefer using hand tools, because to me, machines muffle the sounds of nature and takes away the pleasurable experience of being in the grove.

I did get a chance to try one out once, can't remember model, and didn't care for the machines constant jiggley vibrations. It cut faster then a handsaw, but too much hurry.

One advantage is that replaceable blades are cheaper to replace then hand saw blades, Any blade will be quickly dulled if it contacts any rocks or coarse sand and gravel, and knowing this from experience, I pay extra attention to clearing away any soil from the base of the culm when harvesting poles.

~ Mark